Conceptual modelling of two large-scale mine water geothermal energy schemes: Felling, Gateshead, UK

Banks, D. , Steven, J., Black, A. and Naismith, J. (2022) Conceptual modelling of two large-scale mine water geothermal energy schemes: Felling, Gateshead, UK. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1643. (doi: 10.3390/ijerph19031643) (PMID:35162667) (PMCID:PMC8834720)

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Abstract

A conceptual model is presented of two MW-scale low enthalpy mine water geothermal heat pump schemes that are being developed in Tyneside, UK. The Abbotsford Road scheme (54.955° N 1.556° W) is operating (as of May 2021) at 20–30 L/s, abstracting groundwater (and heat) from an unmined Coal Measures Upper Aquifer System (UAS) and reinjecting to the deeper High Main Aquifer System (HMAS), associated with the High Main (E) coal workings and the overlying High Main Post sandstone. A similar scheme, 700 m away at Nest Road (54.959° N 1.564° W), abstracts at 40 L/s from the HMAS, recovers heat from the mine water and reinjects the thermally spent water to deeper workings associated with the Hutton (L), Harvey-Beaumont (N) (and possibly other) coal seams, termed the Deep Mined Aquifer System (DMAS). The three aquifer systems are vertically discontinuous and possess different hydraulic (storage, transmissivity and continuity) properties that would have been near-impossible to predict in advance of drilling. At the sites, 10 boreholes were drilled to obtain five usable production/reinjection boreholes. Development of mine water geothermal energy schemes thus carries a significant project risk, and also a potential ongoing maintenance burden related to iron hydroxide scaling. These do not preclude mine water geothermal as a useful low carbon heating and cooling technology, but the involvement of skilled hydrogeologists, hydrochemists, mining and groundwater engineers is a pre-requisite.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Geothermal, mine water, heat pump, hydrogeology, coal mine.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Banks, Mr David
Creator Roles:
Banks, D.Conceptualization, Investigation, Data curation, Writing – original draft
Authors: Banks, D., Steven, J., Black, A., and Naismith, J.
Subjects:Q Science > QE Geology
T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
T Technology > TN Mining engineering. Metallurgy
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Journal Name:International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Journal Abbr.:IJERPH
Publisher:MDPI
ISSN:1661-7827
ISSN (Online):1660-4601
Published Online:31 January 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Authors
First Published:First published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19(3):1643
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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